Cook County officials today announced the completion of a comprehensive courthouse wireless connectivity project that concluded in November, significantly improving Wi-Fi signal strength and reliability across courthouse facilities countywide.
As part of the project, crews installed approximately 1,000 wireless access points to eliminate dead zones and strengthen wireless coverage throughout court buildings.
Following months of intensive work by the Juvenile Transition Committee and its affiliated workgroups, Chief Judge Charles S. Beach II announced a series of actions designed to modernize and humanize the Circuit Court of Cook County’s Juvenile Justice System.
During a meeting with committee members last week, Chief Judge Beach thanked the workgroups for their extensive analysis and recommendations, noting that juvenile justice reform remains a top priority for his new administration.
Cook County Courthouse warming centers open during cold weather.
Cook County Courthouse Warming Centers Open Amid Dangerous Wind Chills
The Children’s Room in the George N. Leighton Criminal Courthouse will reopen Monday, Dec. 15.
The Cook County Circuit Court’s Children’s Room program provides free, on-site child care for children whose parents or guardians must attend court. The program offers a safe, supervised space that allows adults to focus on their court matters knowing their children are nearby and well cared for.
Judges from the Circuit Court of Cook County are once again joining community partners to support children and families in need this holiday season.
Chief Judge Charles S. Beach II joined Brandis Friedman and WTTW's Chicago Tonight to discuss his vision and plans for the future of the Circuit Court of Cook County. Chief Judge Beach's segment begins at the 5:00:00 mark.
Chief Judge Charles S. Beach II today announced the appointment of William Steward III, Ph.D., as Acting Superintendent of the Cook County Juvenile Temporary Detention Center (JTDC), effective Dec. 1, following the retirement of Superintendent Leonard Dixon.
Chief Judge Charles S. Beach II today announced a restructuring of the Circuit Court of Cook County with the creation of three deputy chief positions. The new deputy chiefs of criminal operations, civil operations, and first appearance court operations will provide guidance on important court matters and serve as a resource to judges across the Circuit. The restructuring is part of a broader effort to strengthen court operations, support the judiciary and reinforce public trust in the Court.
Twenty-four participants in the Cook County Circuit Court’s Drug, Veterans and Mental Health Treatment Courts celebrated their commencements this week at ceremonies held at the Criminal, Rolling Meadows and Skokie Courthouses.
Cook County's downtown Marriage Court got a makeover and is reopening at its regular lower level County Building space on Tuesday, December 9.
The Marriage Court had temporarily relocated to the Daley Center on October 27 to allow time to remodel the space with fresh paint, lighting, signage and flooring.
Chief Judge Charles S. Beach II announced today that he is establishing a focused committee to urgently review and improve communication procedures related to alleged violations within the Circuit Court of Cook County’s Electronic Monitoring (EM) program.
Chief Judge Beach said recent events highlight the need for clearly defined roles and timely information-sharing among the agencies involved in pretrial supervision.
ABC 7's Michelle Gallardo's coverage of Chief Judge Beach's Investiture Ceremony
WGN TV's Patrick Elwood provided Investiture Ceremony coverage for Chief Judge Beach's first day.
Sophie Sherry, of the Chicago Sun Times provided first day coverage of Chief Judge Beach's tenure.
Fox 32's Paris Schutz's coverage of Chief Judge Beach's first day.
https://www.fox32chicago.com/news/new-cook-county-chief-judge
WTTW Chicago's Matt Masterson's coverage of Chief Judge Beach's Investiture Ceremony.
https://news.wttw.com/2025/12/01/charles-beach-sworn-cook-county-s-new-chief-judge
Chicago Tribune's Madeline Buckley's coverage of Chief Judge Beach's Investiture Ceremony
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/01/cook-county-chief-judge-charles-beach-oath/
Judge Charles S. Beach II was sworn in today as Chief Judge of the Circuit Court of Cook County, marking the start of a new chapter for one of the largest unified court systems in the nation. Illinois Supreme Court Chief Justice P. Scott Neville administered the oath of office during an investiture ceremony held at the Ogilvie Auditorium at Chicago-Kent College of Law.
The Chicago Daily Law Bulletin's Grace Barbic had the Day 1 exclusive on Chief Judge Beach's Investiture Day.
The Office of the Chief Judge extends our deepest concern to the individual who was injured, and we take this matter extremely seriously. Any incident in which someone is harmed is unacceptable, and public safety remains our top priority.
WHAT:
The Circuit Court of Cook County will conduct an investiture ceremony to install the incoming Chief Judge, the Honorable Charles S. Beach II. Members of the media are invited to cover the event as the Court marks a new chapter focused on transparency, modernization, and public service.
Illinois Supreme Court Chief Justice P. Scott Neville will administer the oath of office.
NBC 5 Reporter Courtney SIsk covered Friday's Adoption Day Ceremony. See her story below: https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/happiest-day-in-any-court-12-children-join-forever-families-on-adoption-day/3854377/?amp=1
At a recent hearing at the Avondale Restorative Justice Community Court, the Hon. Beatriz Santiago asked participants some uncomfortable questions.
Why hadn’t one young man been talking to his caseworker? Why wasn’t another preparing for his GED — and did he need help? One participant was having such a difficult time that Judge Santiago stepped out with her for a private conversation.
Twelve children will join eight permanent, loving families this Friday during a National Adoption Day ceremony at the Richard J. Daley Center.
Today, Chief Judge Timothy C. Evans was honored by the Problem-Solving Court judges with the inaugural Judge Timothy C. Evans Justice Innovation Award during the joint commencement ceremony for the Mental Health Cours and Drug Treatment Court.
This new annual award recognizes Chief Judge Evans’ decades of leadership in expanding Cook County’s Problem-Solving Courts and strengthening pathways to treatment, support, and accountability.
Today, in the lead-up to Veterans Day, our Veterans Treatment Court in Skokie held a successful graduation ceremony and welcomed the return of the Jesse Brown VA Mobile Medical Unit. The event reflected the Court's ongoing commitment to supporting veterans on their path to stability, recovery, and reintegration.
The Circuit Court of Cook County’s Veterans Treatment Court in the Second Municipal District will again host the Jesse Brown Veterans Affairs Mobile Medical Unit (MMU) on Friday, Nov. 7, in conjunction with a scheduled Veterans Treatment Court graduation ceremony. The MMU will be available from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. outside the Skokie Courthouse, 5600 Old Orchard Road, to provide eligible veterans with access to no-cost medical and social services.
The Polish Daily News provided coverage of the Oct. 24, graduation of the Avondale Restorative Justice Community Court. Read their story here: https://www.dziennikzwiazkowy.com/artykul/133432,od-rozgniewanych-do-szczesliwych-rekordowa-liczba-absolwentow-sadu-sprawiedliwosci-naprawczej-na-jackowie
The Cook County Chronicle shared our positive news regarding the Oct. 24 graduation ceremony at the Avondale Restorative Justice Community Court. Read their story here: https://chronicleillinois.com/government/avondale-restorative-justice-grads-get-second-chance/
Fox 32 Chicago provided coverage of the Oct. 24 graduation of 27 RJCC participants in Avondale. See their story here: https://www.fox32chicago.com/video/1729950
